Sierra Nevada - South Lake to Onion Valley Trek 1970

On August 21-29, 1970 I backpacked with Explorer Post 360 (23 people) from South Lake to Onion Valley.

From South Lake we backpacked to the Dusy Basin, then went cross country via Knapsack Pass from Dusy Basin and Potluck Pass to Glacier Creek.

Looking back at Long Lake on way to Bishop Pass from South lake
John Muir Wilderness 22 Aug 1970

Saddlerock Lake and Bishop Lakes on way to Bishop Pass from South lake
John Muir Wilderness 22 Aug 1970

Sunrise at Dusy Lake - Kings Canyon National Park 23 Aug 1970

Knapsack Pass, Palisades - Kings Canyon National Park 23 Aug 1970

The next day five of us climbed 12,640' "Cirque Pass Peak". Cirque Pass is a class 2 pass southwest of the Palisade Crest. This pass in combination with Knapsack Pass and Potluck Pass is a popular cross-country route between Bishop Pass and Mather Pass. I found no information on "Cirque Pass Peak".

Foster, Foulds, Drollinger, Deck, Vicklun on top of Cirque Pass Peak
Kings Canyon National Park 24 Aug 1970

Palisade Lakes, Mather Pass from Cirque Pass Peak
Kings Canyon National Park 24 Aug 1970

Upper Palisade Lake and Mather Pass from Cirque Pass Peak
Kings Canyon National Park 24 Aug 1970

Palisade Lakes from Cirque Pass Peak - Kings Canyon National Park 24 Aug 1970

Lower Palisade Lake from Cirque Pass Peak - Kings Canyon National Park 24 Aug 1970

Mather Pass from Cirque Pass Peak - Kings Canyon National Park 24 Aug 1970

Upper Palisade Lake from Cirque Pass Peak - Kings Canyon National Park 24 Aug 1970

Lower Palisade Lake from Cirque Pass Peak - Kings Canyon National Park 24 Aug 1970

Glacier Lake from Cirque Pass Peak - Kings Canyon National Park 24 Aug 1970

Glacier Lake camp from Cirque Pass Peak - Kings Canyon National Park 24 Aug 1970

Cirque Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 25 Aug 1970

The next day we backpacked over Cirque Pass to the John Muir Trail at Palisade Lakes and then over Mather Pass to camp at Upper Basin Junction.

Descending Cirque Pass to Palisade Lakes - Kings Canyon National Park 25 Aug 1970

Palisade Lakes descending from Cirque Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 25 Aug 1970

Palisade Lakes and Palisades from Mather Pass
Kings Canyon National Park 25 Aug 1970

Split Mountain from Mather Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 25 Aug 1970

Upper Basin from Mather Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 25 Aug 1970

Flowers in Upper Basin - Kings Canyon National Park 25 Aug 1970

Bench Lake Junction from Upper Basin - Kings Canyon National Park 25 Aug 1970

On August 26, 1970 we proceeded to camp just off the John Muir Trail at Bench Lake

Upper Basin - Kings Canyon National Park 26 Aug 1970

Arrow Peak - Kings Canyon National Park 26 Aug 1970

Descending into Kings River Canyon from Upper Basin
Kings Canyon National Park 26 Aug 1970

Upper Basin - Kings Canyon National Park 26 Aug 1970

Palisades over Mather Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 26 Aug 1970

Arrow Peak, Bench Lake - Kings Canyon National Park 27 Aug 1970

Bench Lake 'scudge' - Kings Canyon National Park 27 Aug 1970

Cartridge Pass from Bench Lake - Kings Canyon National Park 27 Aug 1970

Bench Lake, Cardinal Mountain, Taboose Pass - Kings Canyoan National Park 27 Aug 1970

Bench Lake, Taboose Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 27 Aug 1970

Looking back from Pinchot Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 27 Aug 1970

The next morning, from Bench Lake, we returned to the John Muir Trail and headed over Pinchot Pass to camp at Twin Lakes.

Marmot on Pinchot Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 27 Aug 1970

Pinchot Pass scenery - Kings Canyon National Park 27 Aug 1970

From Twin Lakes we continued down Woods Creek and then up to Rae Lakes.

Sunrise on Crater Mountain over Twin Lakes - Kings Canyon National Park 28 Aug 1970

Woods Creek - Kings Canyon National Park 28 Aug 1970

Waterfall on Woods Creek - Kings Canyon National Park 28 Aug 1970

Woods Creek - Kings Canyon National Park 28 Aug 1970

Waterfall on Woods Creek - Kings Canyon National Park 28 Aug 1970

Swimming hole in Woods Creek - Kings Canyon National Park 28 Aug 1970

Dusk at Rae Lakes - Kings Canyon National Park 28 Aug 1970

Painted Lady, Kearsarge Pass, Rae Lakes - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

From Rae Lakes we headed out over Glen Pass and Kearsarge Pass to the Onion Valley roadhead.

Rae Lake - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Fin Dome, Rae Lake - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Rae Lake - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Rae Lakes - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Glen Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Rae Lake Basin from Glen Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Lakes below Glen Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Rae Lakes from Glen Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Mt. Brewer (left) and North Guard from Glen Pass
Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Mt. Brewer on skyline from Glen Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Mt. Brewer from Glen Pass - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Charlotte Lake and Mount Bago on way down from Glen Pass
Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Charlotte Creek from Kearsarge Pass Trail - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

Bullfrog Lake, Vedette Peak and Mount Brewer from Kearsarge Pass Trail
Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970

University Peak from Kearsarge Pass Trail - Kings Canyon National Park 29 Aug 1970